Dearth of Primary Physicians Blamed for Medical Ills

AUTHOR(S)

P., Shankar

PUB. DATE

January 2008

SOURCE

njbiz;1/28/2008, Vol. 21 Issue 5, p3

SOURCE TYPE

Periodical

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

The article reports that New Jersey tripled its Medicaid reimbursements for pediatricians, hoping to persuade more of them to practice in the state. But according to experts, the state faces a critical lack of primary physicians, of which pediatricians are just one part, and the shortfall is driving up health care costs. With fewer primary-care physicians available, patients are likely to turn to high-priced specialists who may prescribe more tests than necessary, according to Dr. Alfred Tallia from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

ACCESSION #

29340244

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